By Zappon and Yasumo. Released in Japan as “Shin no Nakama ja Nai to Yuusha no Party wo Oidasaretanode, Henkyou de Slow Life Surukoto ni Shimashita” by Kadokawa Sneaker Bunko. Released in North America by Yen On. Translated by Dale DeLucia.

This is one of those books where the color pages spoil… except, of course, they don’t. Anyone reading this series has been waiting for Red to propose to Rit since the first book, and the fact that it’s now happening gets a “finally!” rather that annoyance at the plot being given away. More importantly, that’s not really the focus of the book, it’s more of an epilogue. The focus of the book is wrapping up the Van plotline and going into those Elf ruins one more time. There *is* a big spoiler for that, so I’ll wait till after the cover art to discuss it. I will note that, unfortunately, the author and his Japanese audience are once again at odds with the English speakers I’ve seen. Ruti being a brocon does not interest us. We want Ruti to give up and get married to Tisse. Sadly, that won’t be happening. Expect more incest subtext in future books.

In the aftermath of the battle with Van, he’s at a loss for what to do next. And Red and company also want to investigate those Elven ruins again, though Ruti and Tisse are not allowed to come along given that last time they went there Ruti tried to kill everyone. So instead we get a team of eight: Red, Rit, Yarandrala and Danan as Party A, and Van, Lavender, Esta, and Albert as Party B. Together they will try to figure out what the hell is actually going on in those ruins, what it’s meant to do for the hero, and once again try to figure out exactly who benefits from a war between humanity and demons, and what the Blessings are supposed to do. Unfortunately, in order to do that, they may have to fight God.

Which I was expecting, honestly, but not this soon. Honestly, light novels that have the Church or God as the villains are as common as muck, and this series has not shied away from the concept. That said, there is a bit more nuance here, at least in regards to the Church and those in it. (The God of this book can go jump in a lake. He sucks.) We see a push and pull throughout the book of trying to work with your blessing even if it means going against what you believe, and that there has to be a balance in order to have someone be happy. Van isn’t sure what that will be, which is why he heads off at the end of this book to find out what being a hero is for him. Red and Rit’s is getting married, with children being brought up several times as the next step after that. And then there’s those who get a blessing like “Cardinal” or “Priest”. Are they required to side with God and oppose folks like Red and Ruti?

We may find that out next volume (hi, cliffhanger!). Will we get a wedding next time? Probably not. But I suspect it will be a BIT more of the “Quiet Life”.